Copy-protected TV

My new dvd recorder (Sony) cannot seem to copy 'copy-protected' tv programs. Certain tv stations are using this feature. Interestingly, I can copy to a vhs but not to a dvd. But when I try to convert the vhs to a dvd, it won't copy. Is there a solution?

 

I don't think you can do much. That's why I use my computer as a recorder.

 

Do you hook up your tv to the computer and set a timer of some sort?
I've never done this.

The way I've been doing it... I schedule a recording into my DVDR box provided by my cable company, then watch the movie at a more convinient time. Problem is, my dvdr box only holds so much space and I have to delete movies after a while. Transfering them on to dvd allows me to watch it at a leisurely time. I also like to capture movies on to a dvd so that it can be watched on tv set in another room.

 

If you have analog cable you should just be able to put a TBC (a.k.a. "clarifier" or "stablizer" in between the cable box and the DVD recorder.

Digital signals may have a Broadcast Flag. Supposedly, the DataVideo TBC-1000 will take care of any of these mechanisms, and possibly even cheaper models may as well.

 

I have a stabalizer and used it when trying to convert from vhs to dvd .... it didn't work either. There's a code of some sort that prevents the show to be copied to a dvd, but ok on vhs. So, I think that it IS somehow related to digital programs.

Can you please tell me more about this DataVideo TBC-1000? What is it? Thanks

 

Here is something that will work, if you are willing to shell out some $$.

http://www.xdimax.com/grex/grex.html

 

That product looks interesting but...Has anyone tried it? Sometimes things look pretty on paper only. Also I can't help wondering if there's going to be any out of sync audio problems since only the video signal goes through the device.

 

thanks for the link arniebear .... Wow! it's a bit steep.
I wonder if anyone's tried it and what the outcome was like.
Is there a less expensive version?

 

I first read about it in a thread over at CDFreaks because someone was having the same problem. There were a couple of posters who said it worked and was one of the better ones on the market. I saved the link, but can't find the original thread.

 

$89 isn't bad really, seeing as the TBC-1000 goes for $349 at B&H Photo.

http://www.datavideo.us/products/tbc_1000_main_page.htm
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=185957&is=REG

My only question is, does the cheaper GREX unit actually reduce jitter (i.e. is it a time-base corrector) or does it simply strip out Macrovision? The TBC will enhance the image quality as well as remove Macrovision-produced errors.

 

I contacted the people at Dimax - this is what they informed me that the Grex allows you to copy protected VHS,DVD and TV programs. They also said:

....... "Grex does not make any Video Signal conversions and provides best Video quality. Grex does not convert protected analog Video to Digital Video and back again Digital Video to Analogue Video. This feature is vital for the best video quality Grex can provide. It also guaranties ZERO Video Signal Propagation Delay and thus no lag between Audio and Video information as well as no ghosts in Video caused by propagation delay".

They provide 90 days money back and 1 year repair warranty.

For a list of tv stations and recorders:

http://www.xdimax.com/grex/grex.html
http://www.xdimax.com/grex/grex.html#TVG

 

@rescuedog

Are you gonna try it out, I would like to know how good it is, thinking about it myself although thus far have not had a problem with TV recording.

 

Yes ... I will try it.

I've never had problems making backups before either - that is, until I purchased my new recorder. As I understand, the newer recorders that are being sold today are designed to comply with this new technology -(this is what the Panasonic people told mewhen I first had a problem recording a show from HBO). Personally, I have run into this problem and have not been able to make back up copies with my new Panasonic or Sony.

Pay-for-view Cable stations are already started encoding their transmission (including some Sports stations, HBO, Showtime, etc). Subscribers to Dish Network, ComCast, etc will also run into this problem.... (refer to the link above).

 

Let me know how it turns out am interested. Gonna have to record a couple of shows HBO to see how mine is doing. I got a Panasonic with the HDD in it, so I usually just record to that and if I want a DVD will then record from there. Mine is a 2 and half years old though.

 

Yes... I'll provide update, but may take some time until I get it.

Will you let me know if you run into problems w/ your your 2-yr-old HDD. I ran into problems with my new Panasonic HD and Socy that were just released this year. Note ... I only ran into problems when I saved the movie into my DVDR cable box - (this counted as "one copy")but I could not make a backup copy on dvd. Also, the problem with HBO was random. In other words, I didn't have problems with all of the shows. That is, unless they've already begun to encode all transmission? As for Encore ... I can't seem to copy anything.
BTW: Those who use their PC capture cards may also run into problems.

 

I too have saved on my Tivo and then transferred to either the Panasonic HDD or to disk, have not had problems but then I may not have run into the flagged programs yet. I suppose though if you recorded direct to disk this would then be considered your one copy. This is how they are getting around the law as recording is legal because of timeshifting. However, I heard that they want satelite tivo boxes to delete a show after it has been on the box for a certain length of time. Hollywood is really getting to be a royal pain.

 

..... "I suppose though if you recorded direct to disk this would then be considered your one copy".

Yeah, I thought of that, but the whole purpose of the 'box' is to allow me to capture the shows so that I can watch it at my leisure, or make a backup copy so that another family member can watch it in another room in the house. A direct copy limits capability, specially if I want to watch a weekly episode - or copy 2 show airing simultaneously.


... "I heard that they want satelite tivo boxes to delete a show after it has been on the box for a certain length of time".

Geeze Louise! What Next?????

.... "Hollywood is really getting to be a royal pain"

DITTO ! .... Unfortunately,they're screwing their 'customers'.
I know they're losing money at the box office but they're ALSO making money by releasing OLDER movies AND TV shows on dvd's. A decade ago, we never saw TV shows on vhs/beta.... When dvds become obsolete, they'll make MORE money when they're re-released in another format again.

If they released more decent movie and stopped paying the millions to these movie stars to make it affordable for a family to go to the movies, then perhaps more people will flock to theaters. As long as home theater systems make it more enjoyable and affordable for a family to watch a movie at home (at our leisure), there's no reason why I can't wait until it comes out on dvd or TV. Isn't there a company that's already started releasing dvd's online on the same day they're released in theaters? .....
My apologies for my rant. I know this is a topic that belongs on another discussion.

 

I agree with your rant 100%. The television industry is just as bad as the movie industry. They now want to be able to stop people from buzzing through commercials, which is one of the reasons I record I don't want the commercials. Being able to fast forward or edit is what I want to do, and also I am not selling these on the street, just for my own enterntainment.

 

I think the industry became a victim of their own volition when more choices were given to consumers. When we only had a handful of tv stations to choose from, this wasn't a major problem. But now, with so many shows to choose from, a recorder has become a vital tool in our household. Especially, when a family only has a limited number of tv sets and our schedule is inconsistent.

 

Has anyone used the Dimax Grex video stabilizer? I'm interested in it and wonder how good it is.